An interview and book spotlight in partnership with Carole P. Roman
The Children’s Book Review
Joke books are a staple of the children’s literature genre, but not all joke books are as socially responsible as Giggles Galore. Alongside the jokes (which are hilariously silly), the volume contains a build-your-own joke activity for readers to practice their comedic skills. From well-worn classics to some brand-new giggles, you can find some humor for any situation in this collection.
In this conversation, award-winning author Carole P. Roman shares where she sources her jokes, the importance of using humor kindly and responsibly, and how Giggles Galore offers ways to practice social skills and develop friendships. Read on!
There are so many jokes and joke books out there, including your bestselling Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids—was it challenging to find a new and unique approach?
No, there are a million jokes out there. We are a funny species.
Where do you source your jokes from and how many of the jokes did you write yourself?
Jokes are everywhere. I have a funny family and we are constantly sending each other jokes and humorous stories. My dad used humor to diffuse all sorts of situations. Considering he was a survivor, it’s interesting how much he used a joke to lighten the mood. I contributed many of the jokes, but they were old chestnuts from my youth. I collect jokes from social media, the internet, and my family wherever I can.
Were there any jokes you left out? If so, why?
Some jokes don’t age well. Also, many jokes are inappropriate for today. I had to consider each joke and think whether it was insensitive to people’s feelings about their culture, gender, and other aspects of life. Like everything in life, jokes and people’s feelings about them have evolved with the times.
We love the story at the end about using humor kindly and responsibly. Why did you think this was important to include?
Jokes can be great entertainment, but sometimes they can wound people when taken too far. Take tickling. I watch little kids tickle each other and find I have to stop it before tears show up. Someone always takes it too far. It’s the same with jokes. What seems funny to one person may strike a chord with someone else. You have to be able to read the room.
The book is described in its summary as “the perfect way to practice social skills and develop friendships.” Can you tell us a little bit about how you envision that working? How can readers use the book in this way?
I have a day job. I am the CEO of a large ground transportation company. We use humor to break the ice in meetings. It makes people comfortable and more open to what you are saying. A good joke can make bridges and open lines of communication. Laughter should be used to unite. It humanizes a tense situation. When children learn jokes, they are also discovering facial expressions, different ways to communicate, and sometimes even get a person’s attention.
The sections – food, cats and dogs, and so on – are far from exhaustive – will there be a follow-up volume?
I always have another book in me.
What advice do you have for readers who might like to be comedians?
Practice in front of a mirror. Record it on your phone and watch the delivery, then try it on an audience. My brother did stand up back in the eighties. He worked with Seinfeld, Richard Jenni, and Larry David at Catch a Rising Star in New York City. He is now CFO at one of my companies. He went to college, and even though he wanted to be a comedian, he took accounting, just in case it didn’t work out.
Do you think there are different types of humor?
If so, what is your favorite type of joke and why? I love anything that will catch me unawares and laugh out loud. Last night, I was watching the new Nick Cage movie and laughed many times. It made me forget about everything that I was worried about during the day at work. I get daily cartoons that brighten my day. I love when a person makes you think about something absurd that will change your perspective and bring a smile to your face.
What other joke books can you recommend to readers who love Giggles Galore?
My other joke books: The Big Book of Silly Jokes 1 and 2. However, I think both my Grady Whill and Oh Susannah books are filled with humor. I do love reading Bad Guys and Captain Underpants with my grandkids as well.
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because the duck wouldn’t do it.
About the Book
Giggles Galore: Jokes, Riddles, and Fun Facts for Kids of all Ages
Written by Carole P. Roman
Illustrated by Leen Roslan
Ages 5+ 168 Pages
Publisher: Chelshire, Inc. | ISBN-13: 9781950080038
Publisher’s Book Summary: What’s more fun than a rainy afternoon?
A rainy afternoon with Giggles Galore!
Treat yourself and your child to this fun-filled book of jokes, riddles, and exciting bits of information.
Entertain your friends and family with a wide variety of jokes that include funny foods, animal antics, jolly jungles, farcical farms, dizzy dinosaurs, hilarious holidays, and a host of humor from all over our wacky world.
Fun facts are sprinkled throughout the book and give a welcome relief from all the giggles.
There’s even a section where budding comedians can learn to create new jokes.
Lastly, join Carole P. Roman’s beloved character, Susanna Maya Logan, for a short story about why we must use humor wisely, or it may not be considered funny by everyone.
A great tool to help a reluctant reader, Giggles Galore is the perfect way to practice social skills and develop friendships.
Giggles Galore is a fun, funny, and responsible joke book, sure to bring a smile to every face.
The Children’s Book Review
Buy the Book
About the Author
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.
Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.
She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.
Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.
Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.
She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.
Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.
For more information, visit http://www.caroleproman.com/.
This interview—Carole P. Roman Discusses Giggles Galore: Jokes, Riddles, and Fun Facts for Kids of all Ages—was conducted between Carole P. Roman and Dr. Jen Harrison. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Carole P. Roman, Fact Books, Humorous Books, Interactive Books, and Joke Books.
309 Comments
Cute story to share with my granddaughters
Great little book for camping or campfires too
Wonderful that I xan now enjoy reading with my own chikd now. Books xan take you anywhere and they make me feel like a kid again !
Wonderful that I xan now enjoy reading with my own chikd now. Books xan take you anywhere and they make me feel like a kid again !
Wonderful that I xan now enjoy reading with my own chikd now. Books xan take you anywhere and they make me feel like a kid again !
Wonderful that I xan now enjoy reading with my own chikd now. Books xan take you anywhere and they make me feel like a kid again !
Would love to win because it seems like such a fun book that I want to share it with my family.
Love to have laughs with my grandchild.
Would love for my grandchildren
great niece loves funny books and stuff she gets the giggles and she really could use a new bookcase
Everyone needs to giggle more!!!
We love books!
A book full of laughs!
a fun book that zay would enjoy and share with her friends and would use the card for a big new bookcase
Long-time fan of Carole P. Roman!
My nephew would love this book!
I would love to win to bring some fun into our home.
We need more giggles in our lives.
This book is full of jokes, riddles. A fun book!
I need some giggles in my life, that why I would love to win.
zay always loves a good giggle and the amazon card would get her big new bookcase
This book will be a great hit at my house!
The world needs more giggles!!!
My kids would love this book,they would love the jokes and riddles,this sounds like a very fun book to read.
Love this ! My daughter and I read alot ! She’s 7 but loves to read and I’m so excited about that
Love to win this funny book.
This would be great to help break the ice and maybe make new friends. Thanks for the chance. Love to read this to my kiddos.
Cute story and granddaughter would love it!
zay would love this book and share with her friends….. the amazon card would be great get her tablet
What the world needs is more giggles and laughter!
I want to get this for my kids.
Adorable ! Sounds like a really cute boom , my daughter would get a kick out of these
This is an amusing, entertaining book.
kids and giggles make a perfect pair and zay would enjoy a lot and the amazon card would get her big new book case
I need to giggle more in my life!!!
A cute book with lots of laughs,
My daughter loves to read, and she would love this book!
My grandkids love books!
Great to share with you’re children or even at a sleepover
We love to read books.
zay loves this type of book she is all for the giggles and the card would get a new bookcase for her
Sounds fun!
We love books that make us laugh!
I’d like to win this giveaway because it sounds like a fun book that everyone can browse through and enjoy. With a couple of new and reluctant readers in the family, this book would be something they might actually want to read.
I would love to win to bring a little fun to our house.
I was at walmart today and was so surprised at how many books I saw about jokes and giggles etc for kids…………. I knew zay that loved that stuff but never thought about books……….. she woudl really enjoy this book and the card would be great to
Love riddles & jokes!
Sounds great
This sounds like a very entertaining book.
This is a perfect starter book for kids ! I remember reading this or being read to at a young age
This books sounds so funny. My granddaughter is learning to tell jokes. She loves the joke about the interrupting cow. LOL.
Sounds like a fun read for kiddos (and adults)!
zay loves funny books and she enjoys giggles and the card would be great
I need to giggle!!!
Would love to win to get a little laughter.
Love the cover!
This is a funny, entertaining book.
nothing better then a book you can laugh and giggle while readin
Mama of 5 and we love books in our house!
Would love to win because it seems like a fun book.
I’d love to win this for my kds!
This seems like a cute, funny book.
Carole P. Roman is one of our favorite authors!
I really love the cover
I’d like to win this because this is a book everyone could enjoy. Everyone could use a laugh and it’s fun to learn interesting facts. It’s nice that the book covers such a wide range of topics.
zay loves anything that has to do with fun jokes and giggles
awesome!
I really, really NEED to giggle!!